NEW YORK — A-Rod vs. K-Rod, fans on their feet. Big Apple bragging rights on the line.

The grand finale of this Subway Series was good enough for Broadway.

With runners at the corners in the ninth inning, Francisco Rodriguez struck out Alex Rodriguez on a full-count changeup to preserve a 6-4 victory for Johan Santana and the New York Mets against the New York Yankees last night.

"I really enjoy that situation," Francisco Rodriguez said. "That's what I get paid for. Not to make the fans suffer like that, but to get the job done."

Jason Bay homered twice off an ineffective CC Sabathia, and the Mets held off the slumping Yankees in a tense finish to take two of three games.

"Right where you want to be. A great matchup, a great battle," Alex Rodriguez said. "It was a good sign we put some pressure on them. After being down 6-0 it came down to the last at-bat. I'll take my chances."

Shut down nearly all night by Santana, the Yankees rallied for three runs in the ninth to set up the juicy matchup of record-setting closer against MVP slugger.

After falling behind 2-0 and 3-1, K-Rod came back to fill the count. A-Rod fouled off two more offerings before swinging through the eighth pitch of the at-bat.

Santana (4-2) yielded six singles in 7 2/3 innings. Sabathia (4-3) allowed 10 hits and five earned runs in five innings.

RED SOX 8, PHILLIES 3

Tim Wakefield (1-2) pitched eight shutout innings for his first victory in nearly a year, and visiting Boston roughed up Roy Halladay. Wakefield allowed five hits and two walks in earning his first win since July 8, 2009, against Oakland. Halladay (6-3) allowed eight hits and seven runs — six earned — in 5 2/3 innings.

INDIANS 4, REDS 3

Jhonny Peralta singled in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning to help host Cleveland snap a six-game skid. Scott Rolen hit two homers and drove in all three Reds runs, while starting pitcher Homer Bailey left in the third with tightness in his shoulder.

BREWERS 4, TWINS 3

Trevor Hoffman returned to help the Brewers' patchwork pitching staff, and Corey Hart and Prince Fielder homered to help visiting Milwaukee win. Hoffman pitched a perfect eighth inning in his 1,000th career appearance, while Manny Parra (1-3) pitched two scoreless innings for the win.

CARDINALS 6, ANGELS 5

Felipe Lopez lofted a bases-loaded single in the 10th inning well over a drawn-in outfield, giving host Saint Louis the victory. The Cardinals loaded the bases for the second straight inning in the 10th on a pair of walks and a hit batsman off Scot Shields (0-2).

CUBS 5, RANGERS 4

Carlos Silva became the first Cubs starter in 43 years to have a perfect record after six decisions, working into the sixth inning for visiting Chicago. Silva (6-0) was done after 5 1/3 innings and 81 pitches. He allowed three runs and six hits.

ROCKIES 11, ROYALS 7

Jason Giambi homered and drove in four runs, and visiting Colorado roughed up AL Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke. Greinke (1-5) left after 3 1/3 innings in his shortest outing in nearly two years.

MARLINS 13, WHITE SOX 0

Cody Ross hit two of Florida's five home runs and Jason Johnson pitched six sharp innings to help the visiting Marlins snap a three-game losing streak. Johnson (5-1) has pitched 18 scoreless innings since giving up a run May 13 against the Mets.

RAYS 10, ASTROS 6

John Jaso homered and drove in four runs, Ben Zobrist and Hank Blalock added solo shots, and visiting Tampa Bay beat Houston. The Rays' Carl Crawford stole three bases and scored three runs.

TIGERS 6, DODGERS 2

Rick Porcello picked up his first road victory of the season, and Detroit got home runs from Miguel Cabrera and Magglio Ordonez to avoid a three-game sweep. Porcello (4-4) allowed two runs and nine hits over six innings.

NATIONALS 4, ORIOLES 3

Josh Willingham homered in the 10th inning and host Washington overcame Matt Capps' first blown save to beat Baltimore. Cla Meredith (0-2) allowed Willingham's eighth homer, a drive to left-center.

ATHLETICS 3, GIANTS 0

Jake Fox hit a go-ahead RBI double in the seventh inning and host Oakland completed a three-game sweep in the Bay Bridge Series. Oakland's Ben Sheets struck out eight in six scoreless innings but left with the game scoreless.

BLUE JAYS 12, DIAMONDBACKS 4

Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista each hit two-run homers for visiting Toronto. Encarnacion is 7 for 19 with six homers and 11 RBIs since returning from the disabled list May 17.

PADRES 8, MARINERS 1

Mat Latos allowed a run and four hits over six innings for visiting San Diego. Latos (4-3) walked two and struck out five.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

PIRATES 3, BRAVES 2

Ryan Doumit homered with two outs in the 10th inning off Takashi Saito (0-2) for his third hit, helping host Pittsburgh avoid a three-game sweep. Doumit's first career game-ending homer was his fourth of the season.